by Kendall Poltzer
“Don't take anything for granted whether it's your health, education, family, or friends,” said University of West Georgia alumnus William Wolf when asked if he had any advice for college students and recent graduates. A survivor of a spinal cord injury as well as a successful entrepreneur, William is a true example of how determination and patience translates into success, especially in times of adversity.
William graduated from UWG in 2011 with a business degree and sustained his injury in a diving accident in May of 2015. The C-3 fracture rendered him unable to move at the time of the accident, but he has since made a tremendous recovery.
When William was first in the hospital following his accident, doctors feared the worst.
“I could hear nurses and doctors behind the curtain talking to my parents,” he recalled. “They said I’d never walk again.”
William refused to let fear keep him from trying to recover, and he began extensive occupational and physical therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta as soon as he was able. Having put in grueling hours of work into the recovery, William is now able to walk and perform everyday tasks. He even has hopes that in time he will be able to run the Peachtree Road Race again, something he participated in every year before his spinal fracture.
William’s injury hasn’t kept him from business success or his favorite hobby, coaching basketball at Saint Pius X Catholic High School. He has been coaching for five years now, and he says that seeing the players grow up and mature over the years has been an inspiration for him in his recovery. Having dealt with sports injuries in the past, William knew that his recovery from the spinal injury would be gradual.
“It takes time,” he said when asked about the rehabilitation process. “You can’t rush back.”
Seeing the kids work hard at practice inspires him to keep making his own progress.
“I teach them to never give up and always have hope,” William said. “Always have faith. I knew I had to practice what I preach.”
William has also found satisfaction in his work as an entrepreneur and currently owns his own business. He works with a variety of different clients, buying and selling the inventories of failing business and redistributing their products. He enjoys his work and says his business classes at UWG have helped him be successful.
“I can say I love what I do,” he said when asked about his business.
He has hopes to expand the business in the future and to hire more employees, of which he already has two.
As he continues his recovery, William remembers to be thankful and find enjoyment in every day.
“Do what you want to you. Don't get stuck doing something you don't enjoy doing,” he said.
As for his recovery and the future of his business, William is very enthusiastic and believes that more success is in his future. Even when faced with doubt, he said, “That’s where the determination kicks in.”
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